Plzeňský Prazdroj

About Company

In the Czech Republic, beer is one of the most popular beverages, contributing to the enjoyment of life of the majority of people who drink it responsibly. Plzeňský Prazdroj a.s is the vibrant part of Czech pride and the economy. They believe that their business will succeed if they manage their relationships well, use natural resources efficiently and meet the needs of their consumers and the communities they operate in. Plzeňský Prazdroj is the leading producer and exporter of Czech beer and produces beer in four breweries: Plzeňský Prazdroj and Gambrinus in Plzeň, Radegast in Nošovice and the Velké Popovice Brewery in central Bohemia. Plzeňský Prazdroj exports beer to more than fifty countries all over the world. Mainly Pilsner urquell -The legendary pale lager and world's first and original Pilsner beer. Due to the 170-year tradition, thanks to the identical formula and brewing procedures as well as the art and experience of many generations of Pilsen brewers, the quality of the Pilsner lager and its flavour profile are kept uncompromised, as was demonstrated by regular laboratory comparisons, of which the oldest dates back to 1897. Czech beer as a Pilsner-type beer is characterised by a bigger amount of residual (unfermentable) extract, full colour, higher pH and larger amounts of polyphenolic substances. The bottom fermentation means lower volumes of alcohol in the beverage. As for sensual perceptions, Czech beer has a more full and long-lasting bitter taste with a lower occurrence of foreign aromas and tastes. A higher intensity of bitterness stimulates the digestion process and encourages further drinking.

History

1842- Until recently beer in Pilsen has been brewed alternately by individual burghers with brewing rights. Since the quality was not consistent, the idea of producing good beer in their own brewery is born in the minds of the burghers of Pilsen. The first batch of this new Pilsner beer is brewed by brewer Josef Groll in the new Burghers’ Brewery on 5 October 1842 .The beer acquired the name Pilsner Urquell (urquell is German for "original source"), in honor of the language of the ruling Austrian Empire. Its brilliant clarity, golden color, and light body made it an instant success in a world that was accustomed only to dark, heavy, cloudy beers. Its popularity soared. Within a couple of decades it was being exported around the world. No sooner had shipments of this new beer reached American shores(1871) than brewers set to work duplicating the style. In 1898, following numerous breaches of the Pilsener trademark by imitators, the brewery took further precautions by also trademarking the name "Pilsner Urquell" . No imitator, however, can hope to match the true character of this Czech original. Brewed with a combination of soft Plzen water, home-malted barley, superb native Saaz hops, and a lager yeast originally smuggled out of Bavaria more than 150 years ago, Pilsner Urquell is to this day a true king of beers. Technological advances in energy and transportation enabled Pilsner Urquell to grow quickly in the late 19th century. Steam was starting to be used in European breweries, and refrigeration techniques allowed beer to be lagered year-round . The brewery first used gas for lighting in 1865, and was wired for electricity in 1891. By 1913, the brewery was producing more than 1 million hL of Pilsner Urquell per year and was the largest brewery in Europe. Since that time, however, output has fluctuated under the pressure of two world wars and 40 years of Soviet domination -- the brewery was nationalized in 1945 -- but its yearly production in 1996 was back up to nearly 1 million hL . Over the years, Pilsner Urquell bought out a number of other Bohemian breweries, including the adjacent Gambrinus Brewery (founded in 1868 as First Shareholders Brewery) and breweries in Cheb, Karlovy Vary, and Domazlice.The brewery has taken many steps toward modernization in the 20th century while trying to maintain the quality and character that made its beer such a success.